Circuit interrupter



Dec. 19, 1950 J. M. cuMMlNG ET AL 2,534,901

, CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Feb. 24, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 1 ei; f "2? 3l 53 \`Zl `57 y 27 E E, 3 l: Q5 .I

1 m3 5 c I E 25 E E w A loe wlTNEssEs: I INVENTORS ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1950 J, M. cUMMlNG E'r AL CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Feb. 24, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig 3.

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INVENTORS MW )mes/14 Cumming m ATTORNEY f Patented Dec. 19, 1950 CRCUHT INTERRUPTER James M. Cumming andSamuel H. Boden, Turtle Creek, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,518

(Cl. ZOO- 82) 16 Claims.

The invention relates to circuit interrupter-s of the type adapted for high-speed reclosing operations. Circuit interrupters of this type usually are connected directly to their closing means to permit instantaneous reclosing of the interrupter without waiting for a retrieving or resetting operation. It is sometimes necessary to close the circuit interrupter manually for example, when the power operated closing means becomes inoperative, or during inspection and maintenance. Manually operated closing means is provided for this purpose.

It is important for the safety of the operator and also for the safety of the apparatus that the interrupter should be trip-free of the manually operated closing means. That is, the interrupter should be capable of moving to the open position independently ofthe manual closing means if a fault is still present when the interrupter is manually closed in.

One object of the invention is to provide a circuit interrupter having a closing means at all times'connected thereto and capable of being manually closed with novel means for tripping the interrupter free of the manual closing means.

Another object of the invention is t provide a circuit interrupter having power operated closing means and which may be manually closed wherein the interrupter is trip-free of the manual closing means but is non-trip-free of the power closing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit interrupter which is non-trip-free of the operating mechanism with means for rendering the interrupter trip free on a manual closing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit interrupter of the fluid motor operated type having latch means for releasably restraining the interrupter in closed position with means connected to and operated by said latch means for quickly dumping the fluid pressure from the motor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit interrupter according t0 the preceding paragraph wherein the dump Valve is opened when the latch moves to unlatching position and is closed when the latch moves to latching position.

' The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The structure and vmode of operation of the invention, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following .de-

tailed description of several embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a circuit interrupter operating mechanism embodying the invention, taken substantially along line I-I of Fig. 2, the circuit interrupter being shown schematically.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the circuit interrupter operating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 2 of the electromagnetically operated inlet valve for admitting compressed gas to the fluid motor to close the circuit interrupter.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view partly in section of `a modication of the latching mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View taken on line V-V of Fig. 1 showing the dump valve.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the circuit interrupter, illustrated schematically at 1, may beof any conventional type, either the oil break, air break or gas blast type. The circuit interrupter, as shown schematically in Fig. 1, comprises-stationary contact means 9 and cooperating movable contact means Il. The circuit interrupter is biased open by means of an accelerating spring i3 and is connected to the operating mechanism l5 by any suitable connection shown schematically by a pivoted lever l1 and operating rod I9.

The operating mechanism comprises a casting 2l formed to provide an operating cylinder 23' and a top portion thereof which closes the upper end of the cylinder and serves as a support forv some of the parts. An operating piston 25 is disposed for reciprocal movement within the cylinder 23 and is adapted to be operated by fluid pressure to eiect closing of the circuit interrupter. A bracket 26 (Fig. 2) is secured to the casting 2l by any suitable means as, for example, by welding. The braclret 26 is provided for the purpose of mounting the operating mechanism on a suitable support such as the Wall of a housing or an enclosure. The angular right hand formed end 2'! of the bracket 2t and a bracket 28 (Fig. 2) secured to the casting 2| are provided with xedpivot pins 29 in axial alignment upon which is pivotally mounted a pair of spaced outer levers 3l. outer levers are pivotally connected to a pair of inner levers '53 bymeans of a pivot pin 35. The inner and outer levers are suitably spaced apart by spacersl.

Near their 'right hand ends (Figs. 1 and 2) the At their left ends the Y inner levers carry a pin 39 upon which is mounted a latch roller 4| which is engaged by a pivoted latch member 43 to releasably restrain the right end of the inner levers in the closed circuit position as shown in Figure 1. A main tripping latch 45 engages a latch roller 41 mounted on the pin ,3.5 which joins the left hand ends of the inner levers `33 and the outer levers 3| to releasably restrain the left ends of the levers in the position shown. The latch 43 is pivoted on a pin 49 supported in the formed end `21 or the bracket 26 and in the bracket 29 and is biased in latching direction by means of a spring 5|. The spring 5| surrounds a spring .guide 453 and is seated in a spring seat in plate 55 suitably secured, as by welding, to the casting 2|. The spring guide 53 comprises a bolt having a rounded head engaging a shoulder` on the latch 43. The lower end of the spring guide 53 extends downwardly through a suitable opening in the plate 55 and a nut 51 is screwed onto thelower end to actas .a stop limiting the movement of the spring guide.

The `main tripping latch "45 is mounted .on a pin 59 supported between a pair of spaced brackets `6| and 63 suitably Ysecured to the .main casting 2|. The main tripping latch 45 is biased in latching direction by means of a spring `|55 comw pressed between a cup-shaped spring seat 31 and the rounded head of a spring guide .6.9. The spring seat51 is vrigidly secured in an opening in a .cross .member V1| .joining the outer endsof the brackets 6| `and .63. The `main latch -45 is the slipeoi type, that is, it will not of itself restrain the levers 3| and 33 against the bias of theaccelerating spring I3, but .is heldin latching position lby `means Iof an intermediate latch 1.3 which, in turn, isrestrained in llatching position by a trigger 'latch 15. The .intermediatelatch 13 ispivotally supported on a pin 11 mounted in the brackets '6| and '53 and biased in latching direction by means of aspring '19 compressed between the latch 113 and a cross member 8| rigidly secured to the brackets 3| and 63.

The trigger latch 15 comprises a part of a tripping electromagnet indicated generally at 83 (Fig. 1).. The tripping electromagnet comprises an E- shaped core member v85 mounted by means of a U-s'haped bracket 81 secured by means of a `bolt 88 'to the casting v2|. surrounds the center leg of the core member. A channel-shaped armature 9| has its spaced side members pivotally supported on the bracket 81 by means of a pivot pin 93 in the two vside members of the bracket B1. The cross member of the .armature is formed upwardly to .form the trigger .latch 15 andthe armature is biased by means of aspring 9'5 to latching position.

rThe tripping Yelectromagnet .83 may be energized lfrom any suitable source as, for example, a conventional fault relay. When energized, the electromagnet attracts its armature 9| andmoves the trigger latch 15 to unlatching .position which permits the powerful accelerating spring |3 to force the main latch 45 clockwise about its pivot 59 to unlatching position against the force of the spring 65. The unlatching movement of the main latch 45 moves the intermediate .latch 13 to its 'unlatching position. `Movement of the main latch 45 to unlatching position releases the `left ends of the inner and .outer levers 33 and 3| whereupon the force .of the accelerating spring |13 starts the levers asa unit in `a clockwise direction, the outer levers 3l pivoting about .their pivotpins 29 (Fig. 2) .and `the .inner levers 33 .piv-

An energizing winding 89 :w

4 oting about the pin 39 upon which the latch roller 4| is mounted. Very shortly after the start of the clockwise movement of the levers 3| and 33, a pin 91 carried by the inner levers 33 engages a projection 99 on the latch 43 and moves this latch to unlatching position. This permits the right hand ends of the inner levers 33 to `move upwardly and the interrupter 1 to move to full open position.

The lower end of the operating rod i9 is connected to the inner levers 33 by means of a pin |9| supported in the levers and passing through an .opening in a member |93 rigidly secured to .the lower end of the rod i9. The operating rod l|9 .and the inner levers 33 are also connected by means of a piston rod |05 and a nut |96 to the operating piston 25. The enlarged upper end |01 ofthepiston rod `I 05 is slotted as at |09 to receive the member |93 and each of the side portions of end |91 is provided with a horizontal slot I.! embracing the pin |0| to thereby connect the piston .to the levers 33 and to the operating rod I9. The piston rod is .surrounded by a sleeve .I |.3 which passes through a packing'gland ||5 in the tcp of the cylinder 23.

When the .left hand .end of the lever system .3 |33 is released by the latch 45, the .interrupter 1, the break-er rod |9 and the piston 25 start in the opening direction under the inliuence of the acceleratingspring I3 with the lever system pivoting about the xed pivots 29 (Fig. 2) andthe pin 39. After the latch 43 is released by the .pin 91the right .hand end of theinner lever 33 is free to move .upwardly to the fully open position indicated at33. .immediatelyafter the rightendof the inner `levers 33 are .released by the latch 43 the left end of the leversystem is restored to its latohed position, the outer 4levers 3| Apivoting aboutthe xed pivots 29 and the inner levers -33 pivoting in a counterclockwise directionabout the pin |0|. As soon as the latch 45 reengages `'the latch roller 41 the levers .33 continued to .the open position 33 pivoting about Vthe pin 35.

The means for effecting the relatching .of the left end of the lever systemcomprises a pair of powerful springs l1 disposed one on each side of the .lever system (Fig. 2) and having `their left ends anchored by means of spring lclips ||9 -to he ends of the pin 35 which Ypivotally connects the left ends of the levers 3| and v33. The right ends of the springs ||1 are .attached by means of spring clips |21| vto theends-of a pin |23 which is engaged and .restrained in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a ldual latch L25. The springs |11 are not given an initial tension. The pin |23 is carried by the free ends of a pair-of :arms |21 pivotally mounted on the outer ends `of the -Xed pivots -29 outside of the outer levers 3|. r#The latch |25 comprises a pair `oi` spaced latch members ,pivotally supported on the .pin A49 and secured `together at Vtheir outer ends by means of a rod |29 which serves as a handle for manually operating the latch. The latch |25 is biased to latching position by meansiof a spring |3| comi pressed between a spring seat in the plate 55 and a spring guide |33 seated against :the under side of the latch members |25. The mechanical arrangement is such .that at `the beginning of the opening movement of the left end of the lever system the .springs exert `a minimum force 'opposing the .opening movement of the levers. When the latch 43 releases the right hand end of the inner lever 33, the springs `I |1 act Ato immediately restore the left end of the lever 'systern to the latched position while the inner shown generally at |35 (Figs. 2 and 3).

levers rotate about the pivot 35 to the full open position.

' In order to close the interrupter, compressed gas is admitted to the cylinder 23 above the piston to drive the piston down and effect the circuit closing operation. Compressed gas is admitted to the cylinder by means of an electromagnetically operated inlet valve mechanism rThe inlet valve mechanism comprises an inlet valve |31 mounted in a valve housing |39 suitably secured to the casting 2| near the upper end oi the cylinder 23. The inlet valve |31 is biased to close an inlet port |4| in the housing |39 by means of a spring |43 seated in a spring seat in an air inlet chamber comprising a housing |45 secured to the housing |39. The inlet chamber is connected by means of a pipe H31 to a suitable source (not shown) of compressed gas. The inlet valve |31 is moved to the open position by means of an electromagnet |49 (Fig. 3) comprising a fixed core member |5| which is mounted on the valve housing |39 by means of brackets |53. The'core member |5| is E-shaped and an energizing winding |55 is mounted on the center leg thereof. An armature |51 is secured to the upper end of a valve rod |59 which extends downwardly and has the inlet valve attached to the lower end thereof. Also iixed to the valve rod |59 is a normally open exhaust valve |E|.

The winding |55 of the inlet valve electromagnet may be energized from any suitable source either by operation of a manual switch or by an auxiliary switch controlled by the interrupter mechanism. When energized, the electromagnet attracts and moves the armature |51 and the armature rod |59 downward to close the exhaust valve |6| and open the inlet valve |31. Opening of the inlet valve admits compressed gas to the cylinder 23 above the piston 25 and forces the piston downwardly to effect closing of the interrupter. During the closing stroke, the inner levers 33 are rotated in a clockwise direction about the pivot 35. Near the end of this operation the latch roller 4| engages the upper end of the latch 43 and moves the latch to the non-latching position. As soon as the mechanism reaches the fully closed position, the spring 5| acts to restore the latch 43 to latching position.

In the event that the interrupter is closed in with a fault still present in the circuit controlled by the interrupter, the tripping electromagnet 83 will'imrnediately function to release the main latch and permit the interrupter to move to the open position. At this time, the closing charge of compressed gas is in the cylinder and, in order to effect quick reversal of movement of the mechanism and opening of the interrupter, it is necessary to quickly dump the closing pressure from the cylinder. For this purpose there is provided a large exhaust valve device |3 which is connected to and operated by the main latch 115. The dump valve device |53 comprises a casting |35 (Figs. 1 and 5) bolted to the top of the casting 2| in line with a large exhaust port |61 extending vertically through the top. of the casting 2|. Disposed in a large circular opening in the casting |35 is a dump valve |53 comprising spaced discs |1| rigidly connected by a plurality of integral cross bars 13. The lett hand one (Fig. l) ofthe discs |1| is provided with an ear |15 which is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin |11 to a pair oi' links |19 disposed one on each side of the ear. The other ends of the links |19 are pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin |8| to the main latch 45.

When the tripping electromagnet 83 (Fig. 1) is energized to release the main latch 45, as was previously described, the lever system comprising the inner levers 33 and the outer levers 3| are released and move a short distance in a clockwise direction respectively about the pin 39 and the fixed pivots 29. During this movement the latch roller 41 cams the latch i5 clockwise about its pivot 52 which movement, through the links Ils, moves the dump valve |69 toward the left (Fig. 1) to the open position indicated by dot and dash lines at |69. This opens a large area through which the closing pressure in the cylinder may be quickly dumped to atmosphere to permit high speed opening of the interrupter.

It will be remembered that at the beginning of the opening movement, the left hand end of the lever system 3|-33 moves a short distance in opening direction and then, after the latch 43 is operated by the pin 91 to release the right end of the inner levers 33, the springs ||1 act to restore the left end of the lever system to the latched position. During the movement of the left end of the lever system, the latch roller 41 moves upwardly along the edge of the latch 45 to approximately the position indicated at 41' but does not move out of engagement with the latch 45. It will thus be seen that the roller 41 holds the latch 45 in unlatching position and consequently holds the dump valve |69 in the open position during the time interval the left-end of the lever system is out of latched position. When fr' the right hand end of the inner levers 33 is released by the latch i3 through the action of the pin @l and the springs ||1 have restored the left hand end of the lever system to the full line position (Fig. l) the spring moves the latch 45 to latching position and, through the links |19, moves the dump valve |69 to closed position. It will thus be seen that the dump valve is open when the main latch is in the unlatched position and is closed when the main latch is in the latching position.

It is at times necessary to close the circuit interrupter manually, for instance, when the power operated closing means becomes inoperative. Any suitable manual closing device may be utilized to close the breaker, none being shown herein. A manual closing device of a type particularly adapted for closing circuit interrupters of the type disclosed in the instant application is shown in United States Patent 2,242,916, issued May `20, 1941 to H. G. MacDonald and assigned to the assignee of the instant application. This manually operated closing device consists of a jack of the screw type which, when mounted on the circuit interrupter mechanism, engages at one end a bracket |83 rigidly secured to the frame and the other end engages in notches |35 provided for that purpose in the right hand end of the inner levers 33. When the jack disclosed in the aforementioned patent is mounted on the interrupter mechanism, the screws are rotated manually and the travelling member of the jack draws the inner levers down to the closed position where the roller li is engaged by the latch d3. During the manual closing operation, the levers 33 pivot about the pin 35 in the same manner as when closed by the power means.

When closing the interrupter manually, it is necessary, in order to protect the operator and the mechanism, to make the interrupter trip-free of themanual closingmeans so that-should the interrupter be manually closedinaeainst afault, it may be tripped and instantly-moved to full open position independently of the manual closing device. `This is leffected by operating the 4manual latch |215 ,and holding the latch in non-'latching position during the manual closing operation. This frees 4the pin |23 which normally -restrains the right end of the `springs ||1 so that `these springs restore the left end of the lever system when rthe latch lt3 is released by `thejpin 91. With .the manual closing `device in position to `close .the breaker, `the rig-ht hand end of the inner levers cannot move .-to the open position. But, with the latch |25 4held in its non-latching position, the springs |11 are ineffective to restore the left :end vof ythe lever system 'to the latched position, hence, if `the `interruptor is manually closed in against a fault, the trip device 83 will function to lrelease the latch 5.5 and the lever system will go to .theopen .position indicated at 33a,:the outer levers f3.1 Vpivoting `about the fixed :pivots 29 and the inner levers pivoting about the pin 39. During .the trip-free opening operation the 'springs ,|.If1 and the ar-,ms @5.2i travel with -the lever system in substantially the 4same relation as the parts appear ,in Fig. 1. This -is due to the pin |23 extending 'across beneath the inner levers 33 which prevents movement of the arms |21 relative to the levers 33. When the interrupter is in its fully closed and la-tehed position, the latch |25 is moved to :its Ilatching position by -means of the `handle 12,9 to reeneaee thepin -I 23.

In order to vclose the interrupter following van operation wherein `the mechanism is tripped free of the manual :closing device, :it is 'first necessary to remove lthe Amanual `closing device and then to 4reset fthe left end of the lever system to the latched opposition. The latter is accomplished, after the manual .closing device is removed, by moving .the #inner `levers 33 to their open position indicated at 33. During this movement, the innel' levers 3 3 pivot counterclockwise about the pin 419| which ris, at ythis time, `in the open or raised position. 4The counterclockwise movement of the inner levers 33 about the pin -l-.U'l causes the outer levers `3| to -move in the same direction about their fixed pivots A29 to reengage the latch roller 41 with the main Vlatch 45. Thereafter, the interrupter may be closed manually -by again mountingthemanualclosingi'device on the `mechanism.

When the interrupter is -trippedopen fir/,m the fully closed position, as previously set forth, the main latch 45 is Aheld #by the lroller l1 -in the unlatched :position `until `the inner levers 33 are freleased by Ithe latch 43 and lthe roller `l|1 is re.- storeo. 'to the ,latcbed position by the spr-ings |1. During the time the 4latch '.45 is held in unlatching position, a tail IMil thereon engages a surface |99 on the intermediate 'latch 13 thus holding this latch in unlatching position. Also the lower end i191 `the intermediate latch 13 is h eld in position labove .the llatch 15. Thus the roller 41 maintains :all of the latches-45, 13 and 15 in their 'unlatched positions until the roller 41 is restored yto its latching position, whereupon the springs 95, 19 and :95 move their respective latches 55, 13 and 15in sequence to their latching positions. When, however, the interrupter, being ,manually closed in against a fault, is tripped ,tree yof the manual closing means, and the entire lever system pivoting at its right hand end and moves to the open position, the roller 4.1 `moves past l.the end .of the -main latch 45 to the open position indicated at Aia. .During this operation 'the 'latch .45 will be restored to `its latching position as soon as the roller 41 .moves beyond ,the end of :the latch. In order to permit the roller 41 to reengage the latch `4;.5 during a closing operation following a trip-free operation, it is necessary 'to Vhold the intermediate latch -in its unlatched position. This is accomplished by means kof a holding lever |93 comprising a pair of spaced parallel levers disposed one on each side of the main latch 45 and pivoted on the pin 5,9. The lower ends of the holding levers |93 are rigidly connected by a cross stud |95 and is biased by :means Vof a spring |91 in a counterclockW-ise direction. The spring |91 is compressed between a cup-shaped spring seat |99 rigidly secured in an opening in the cross member 1| and a collar 291i onev spring guide 293 which is slidable in an opening in the bottom of the spring seat and has a reduced end extending into an opening in the stud |95. A pin 295 carried between the 4inner lever v33 and engaging projections 291 Von the lever E83 normally prevents ccunterelochwise movement of the holding lever |93.

When the lever system 3 |-33 -moves the roller 41 beyond the end of the latch 45 during `a tripfree operation, the latch d5 is restored -to its latching position by the spring `65. 'The movenient of the pin 255, however, permits the VVspring itil' to rotate the holding lever |98 counterclockwise to engage the stud |95 with the latch 13 and, since the spring |91 is stronger than the spring i9, the latch 13 is maintained in unlatchposition. During a closing operation following Ya trip-free opening opera-tion, fthe roller 41 engages and cams the latch 45 to unlatching position and then the pin 295 engages lthe projection 291 and moves the holding lever |93 to its non-holding position permitting the intermediate latch 1S to reengage the latch 45 when the latter moves into latching engagement with the roller 41.

Figure 4 of the drawings illustrates a modification of the latching and tripping mechanism. In the Figure l modification, the main latch 209 comprises a pair of spaced parallel latch levers pivoted on a pivot pin 2|| mounted in the brackets 9| and only the bracket 6| being shown in Fig. 4. The latch levers 299 are rigidly joined at their upper ends by an angular cross member 2i3 and, just below the member 2| 3, carry a pin 215 upon which is mounted a latch roller 2|1 which cooperates with the latch roller 41 to releasably restrain theleft hand end of the lever system 3i-33 in closed position. In the latching position, the center of the latch roller 2|1 is slightly to the right of the vertical lcenter line drawn through the center of the latch roller 41 and the center of the pivot pin 2|! and ,consequently restrains the interrupter in the closed position with `an exceedingly light tripping load. T he position of the latch roller 2|1 relative to the latch roller 41 in the latched position is adjustable by means of an adjusting screwv 259 threadedly mounted in a cross member 22| rigidly secured to the latch levers 209. The end of the screw 2|9 abuts against the latch roller 41 and the screw is locked. in its adjusted position by means of a lock nut 223. For biasing the main latch to latching position, there is provided a spring 225 having one end attached `to a rod 221 secured `to and extending between the latch levers 299 and having the other end attached to a rod 229 vmounted Iin the `brackets 6| and E63. The vmain latch is .moved in a counterclockwise or tripping direction byv means of a U-shaped trip member 23| pivotally supported on a pivot pin 235 mounted in the brackets and 63, and biased in tripping direction by a powerful spring 235. The spring 235 has one end hooked over a rod 231 rigidly mounted between the two legs (only one being shown) of the trip member and the other end hooked over a spring stud 239 on one arm of a lever 24|. The lever 24| is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 243 supported in the brackets 5|, 63, and the other arm of the lever 251i extends beneath theA latch roller 41 carried by the lever system 3 |33. The upper ends of the legs ci the U-shaped trip member 23| are rigidly joined bya rod 255, which, when the trip member is released, strikes the latch levers 265 a sharp blow to start the latch roller 2li in tripping direction.

The means for releasing the trip member 23| consists of an electromagnet 241 comprising an E-shaped fixed core member 259 mounted between the spaced sides of a U-shaped bracket 25| only one side or which is shown. An energizing winding 253 is mounted on the center leg of the xed core 24S and a channel-shaped armature 255 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 251 supported in the sides of the U-shaped bracket 25|. The right-hand end of the armature comprises a latch 259 which normally engages a cross bar 25| joining the lower ends of the legs 23| of the trip member.

The winding 253 may be energized from any suitable source in a known manner and, when energized, attracts the armature 255 to eiect release of the trip member 23|. The spring 235 immediately actuates the trip member and causes therod 245 to strike the latch members 299 a blow starting the latch roller 2|? in unlatching direction. As soon as the center of the latch roller 2|1 passes to the left of the center line 2| |-35 the force of the accelerating spring moves the lever system 3|-33 in a clockwise or opening direction, the roller 41 moves upwardly and, acting on the roller 2H, cams the latch 209. and the cross members 2 iii to their fully unlatched positions as indicated at 25 and 2 I3. Thereafter the roller 41 moves upwardly along the cross member 2 |3 to approximately the position indicated at 41 (Fig. 4). Release of the right hand end of the inner levers 33 in the manner previously described, causes the left end of the levers 3|-33 to move back to the full line position at which time the spring 225 restores the latch 29 and the roller 2|? to-latching position to thereafter restrain the left end of the lever system in the full line position. The interrupter proceeds to the full open position in the previously described manner. The trip member 23| is reset by means of a spring 263 as soon as the latch 25 is moved to its unlatching position and the left end of the lever system moves upwardly. The spring 263 has one end hooked over a spring stud 265 in the downwardly extending arm of the lever 24| and the other end hooked over a rod 251 supported in the brackets 5|, 55. When the latch 209 moves to its unlatching position, the trip member 23| follows until the spring 235 goes solid. As soon as the roller fil moves upwardly, the spring 253 rotates the lever 22| counterclockwise about its pivot 253 and this movement of the lever 25| acting through the now solid spring 235 rotates the trip member 10 operates the lever 24| to again tension the springs 235 and 253.

The operation of the dump valve |53 by the latch 255 is the same as that previously described, the dump valve being opened and closed only once during a normal opening and closing operation of the interrupter.

The interrupter may be closed by compressed gas in the previously described manner and may also be closed manually by the manual closing device as previously described.

Having described several embodiments of the invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed without departing from some of the essential features or the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a circuit interrupter comprising relatively movable contacts, operating mechanism for said contacts comprising a lever operatively related to said contacts, means releasably restraining one end of said lever, trip means operable in response to abnormal circuit conditions to release said one end of said lever to initiate opening movement of said interrupter, a second restraining means for releasably restraining the other end of said lever, means for operating said second restraining means to eitect movement of said interrupter to full open position, spring means associated with said one end of said lever for limiting movement oi' said one end or" said lever in opening direction, and manually operable means for rendering said spring means inefiective to limit movement oi said one end of said lever.

2. In a circuit interrupter comprising relatively movable contacts, operating mechanism for said contacts comprising a lever operatively related to said contacts, means releasably restraining one end of said lever, trip means operable in response to abnormal circuit conditions to release said one end of said lever to initiate opening movement of said interrupter, a second restraining means for releasably restraining the other end of said lever, means for operating said second restraining means to efect movement of said interrupter to full open position, spring means connected to said one end of said lever for limiting the movement or said one end in opening direction and for reengaging said one end of said lever with said restraining means, means releasably restraining said spring means under tension, and manual means operable to release saidfrestraining means to thereby render said spring means ineiective.

3. In a circuit interrupter, operating means comprising a lever movable to close the interrupter, compressed gas operated means for actuating said operating means to close the breaker, latch means engaging said lever to releasably restrain said operating means in closed position, trip means operable to effect unlatching movement of said latch means and opening of said operating means, a large exhaust valve for quickly exhausting the gas pressure from said compressed gas operated means to permit high speed opening movement of said operating means, means at all times connecting said exhaust valve to said latch means lor movement therewith, and means for holding said latch means in unlatcliing position ior a predetermined time following an unlatching movement thereof.

4. In al circuit interrupter,l operating means comprising a lever movable to close the interrupter, compressed gas operated means forac- 1l' tuating saidfoperating means-'to close the breaker', latch means engaging said lever to releasably restrain' said operating means in closed position, trip` means operable to effect unlatching movement` of said latch means and opening of said operating means, a largeV exhaust valve for quickly exhausting the gas pressure from said compressed gas operated means to` permit high Speed opening movement of said operating means,

vmeans at all times connecting said exhaust valve to said latch means for movement therewith, said exhaust valve being closed when said latch means is in latching position and open when said latch means is in unlatching position, and means for holding said latch means in unlatching position for a predetermined time.

5. In a circuit interrupter, operating means movable to close the interrupter, compressed gas operated means comprising a cylinder and a piston operable therein for actuating said oper-ating means to close the interrupter, means connecting said piston to said interruptor at all times for movement therewith, latch means releasably restraining said operating means in closed position, trip means ior operating said latch means to elect opening of said interrupter, a large eX- haust valve connected at all times for movement with said latch for quickly exhausting the compressed gas from said cylinder to permit high speed reverse movement of said piston and opening movement of said interrupter, and means on said operating means for maintaining said latch in unlatching position and for maintaining said exhaust valve in open position for a predetermined time following operation oi said trip means. f

6; In a circuit interrupter, operating means comprising a lever movable to close the interrupter, compressed gas operated means comprising a cylinder and a piston operable therein to cause said operating means to close the interrupter, latch means releasably restraining one end of said lever, a trip device for operating said latch to initiate an opening operation of said operating means, means comprising an exhaust .Y

valve connected at all times for movement with said latch means and operated by said latch means to quickly exhaust the gas pressure from said cylinder to permit high speed opening of said interrupter, means releasably restraining the other end of said lever, said restraining means beingl operable by said lever to release said other end of said lever to eiiect movementof the interrupter to full open position7 and means for returning said one end of said lever to latched position upon release oi said other end of said lever.

7. In a circuit interrupter, operating means for said interruptor comprising a lever, power operated means for actuating said operating means to close the interrupter, latch means releasably restraining one end of said lever, trip meansfor actuating said latch means to release said one end of said lever to thereby initiate opening movement oi said interrupter, a second latch means releasably restraining the other end of said lever, means operable after said one end of said lever is rcleasedto cause the second latch to release the other end of said lever, means for returning said one end of said lever to latched position following release of said other end of said lever while permitting movement of said other end of said lever to full open position, means for releasably restraining saidV restoring means in operating position, and manual means i2 for rendering said restoring means inoperative to thereby permit said oneend oi said lever to move to full open position irrespective of the positionof saidother end of said lever.-

8. Inl a circuit interrupter,operating means for said interruptor comprising. a lever, power operated means for actuating said operating means to close the interrupter, latch means for releasably restraining one end of said lever, trip means for actuating said latch means to release said one end of said lever tol initiate opening movement ofsaid interrupter,l a second latch means releasably restraining the other endr of said lever, means operable after saidone end of said lever is released to cause the second latch to release the other end of said lever, meansv for restoring said one endlof said lever to l-atched positonfollowing release of said other end of said lever while permitting movement of saldi other end of said lever to full open position, means on-l said other end'- Of said lever for receiving a manual closing" means to permit manual movement of said other end of said lever and closing of said interrupter, and manual means for releasing said restoring meansto thereby permit movement of said one end of said lever to full openA position irrespective of the position of the other endof said lever.

9. In ra circuit interrupter, operating means for said interrupter, alever related to said operating means, a first latch releasably restraining one end of saidV lever in closed position, a second latch releasably restraining the other e'nd of said lever in closed position, tripA means operable to effect movement oi said first latch to release said one end of said lever, means opel-able after sa-id one end of said lever is released for actuating said second latch to release' the other eno".l of said lever, spring means for limiting the' travel oi said one end of said lever in opening direction and forV restoring said one end of said lever to -lat'ched position, and manual means for relcasing said spring means to' permit said one' end of said lever to move to full open position irrespective to the positionv of said other end of' said lever.

10. In a circuit interrupter, operating means for said interrupter, a lever related to said oper'- ating means, a Erst latch releasably restraining one end of said lever in closed position, a second latch releasably restraining the other end o said lever in closed position, trip' means' operable to effect movement of said rst latch to release said one end of saidlever, meansv operable after' said one end of said lever is released for actuating said second latch to release the other end of said lever, spring' means having onel end operatively related to said one endof' said lever for limiting the travel of said one end of said lever opere` ing direction and for restoring one end of said lever' to latched position, means releasably restraining the other endof spring means', and manual` means for releasing said other endl of said spring means to permit said one end or said lever to move tof-ull' open position irrespective of the position-ot said other' endV of' said lever.

11. In a circuit interrupter,- operating means for said interrupter,. a lever related to said open ating means, a flu-id motor' relatedV to said operating means for closing said interrupter, latch' ing means comprising a first latch for releasably restraining one end of said lever in closed position and a second latch for' releasably restraining the other end of said lever in closed posi tion, a large exhaust valve connected to said first latch for movement therewith, trip means Y 13 operable to effect movement of said lirst latch to unlatching position and movement of said exhaust valve to open position to quickly exhaust the compressed gas from said motor and permit movement of said interrupter to open position, means for operating said second latch to release the other end of said lever, means for limiting the movement of said one end of said lever in opening direction and for then restoring said one end to closed position, and means on said one end of said lever for maintaining said iirst latch in unlatching position and for maintaining said lexhaust valve in open position until said one end of said lever is restored to closed position.

12. In a circuit interrupter, operating means for said interrupter including a lever, power operated means for closing said interrupter, latch means for releasably restraining said lever in closed position, said latch means comprising a rst roller on one end of said lever, a pivoted latch member, a second roller on said latch member for engaging said rst roller to releasably restrain said lever in closed position, and trip means for actuating said latch member to effect disengagement of said rollers to release said lever and thereby initiate opening movement of said interrupter, and means on said latch member engaging said rst roller when said lever is out of closed position to hold said latch member in unlatching position.

13. In a circuit interrupter, operating means for said interrupter including a lever, power operated means for closing said interrupter, latch means for releasably restraining said lever in closed position, said latch means comprising a iirst roller on one end of said lever, a pivoted latch member, a second roller on saidv latch member for engaging said iirst roller to releasably restrain said lever in closed position, trip means for actuating said latch member to effect disengagement of said rollers to thereby initiate opening movement of said interrupter, an extension on said latch member cooperating with said viirst roller to retain said latch member in unlatched position, and adjustable means for adjusting the relative positions of said rollers in the closed position of said lever.

14. In a circuit interrupter, operating means for said vinterrupter comprising a lever, power operated means for closing said interrupter, latch means for releasably restraining said interrupter in closed position comprising a roller on said lever, a pivoted latch member, a second roller on said latch member engaging said rst roller to releasably restrain said lever in closed position, a trip member for actuating said latch member,

means releasably restraining said trip member, electro-responsive means operable when energized to cause release of said trip member, a first energy storage device for operating said trip member to effect unlatching movement of said latch member, and a second energy storage device for operating said first energy storage device to reset said trip member.

15. A circuit'interrupter including a lever movable to close said interrupter, compressed gas operating means for actuating said lever to close said interrupter, a latch releasably restraining said lever in closed position, trip means operable to effect unlatching movement of said latch and opening of said interrupter, valve means for exhausting the gas pressure from said compressed gas operated means to permit high-speed opening movement of said interrupter, a connection responsive to unlatching movement of said latch whenever said latch is moved to unlatch said lever to open said valve means, said connection being responsive to movement of said latch Whenever said latch is moved into latching engagement with said lever to close said valve, and means on said lever for holding said latch means in unlatching position and for holding said valve in open position for a predetermined time fol lowing an unlatching operation.

16. A circuit interrupter comprising compressed gas operated operating means for closing said interrupter, a latch releasably restraining said operating means in circuit closed position, a trip device for actuating said latch to unlatching position, valve means for admitting compressed gas to said operating means to close said interrupter, an exhaust valve for exhausting the gas pressure from said compressed gas operating means, means directly responsive to unlatching and latching movement of said latch to open and close said exhaust valve, and means on said operating means for maintaining said latch in unlatching position and for maintaining said valve in open position for a predetermined time following a tripping operation.

JAMES M. CUMMING. SAMUEL I-I. BODEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the rile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,286,023 Strang June 9, 1942 2,403,082 Hill et al. July 2, 1946 2,411,360 Boden et al. Nov. 19, 1946 

